*Ø* Blogmanac | Yep, Right on Time!
From iddybud's blog:
Howard Dean was absoutely preposterous and well out of the mainstream when he said the nation "hasn't been made any safer" since we've caught Saddam Hussein...
Oh, by the way, there's a slim chance that you might be blown to smithereens
later this week...
Oh, but don't let that stop you from getting on the plane to visit Grandma...
Buh-bye! Don't worry!
Have a good time!
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WELL, IF THIS JUST DON'T BEAT ALL!
Australia won't match US terrorist alert
By Tom Allard and agencies (Australia)
December 23, 2003
Australia will not increase its terrorism alert level, the Federal Government said yesterday. The assurance came despite a US warning that fresh intelligence indicated attacks were being planned on its territory that could rival or surpass those of September 11, 2001.
The warning from the US Homeland Secretary, Tom Ridge -- and the accompanying lifting of the US terrorism alert to "orange", the second highest level -- comes in the wake of fresh alerts in much of Europe and Indonesia.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Australians travelling to the US and other countries to be alert to terrorist attacks, the same caution does not apply to holidaymakers in Australia.
"The reports that we've had from America indicate the threat relates to American cities and not to any other country apart from America," the Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, said.
"We've had no specific information which would cause an increase in our threat level. It remains at medium and we believe the measures we have taken are appropriate."
US federal officials said on Sunday fresh intelligence reports suggested al-Qaeda was planning multiple catastrophic terrorist attacks in the US.
Previously, Bush Administration officials said they would only lift the terrorism alert to code orange in the most unusual circumstances.
The new intelligence indicates al-Qaeda operatives are taking advantage of lower security on commercial or cargo flights from overseas to US airports, officials said.
They said they had no specific information on where or when an attack might be planned.
Senator Ellison said much of the concern arose from a tape *apparently* recorded by a senior al-Qaeda figure. It was being analysed by the CIA, he said. [Emphasis added. -v]
Raising the alert level to orange leads to stronger security procedures across the US to protect government buildings, critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants and railways, harbours and shopping malls.
Police were out in force at airports across the US on Sunday.
Australian news source
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Daschle Letter to Ashcroft: Classified Leaks Continue
Monday 22 December 2003
The Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Attorney General:
On September 29, 2003, we wrote to you and to the President requesting the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the unauthorized disclosure of the identity of an undercover CIA officer. You rejected this request, stating that the Department of Justice would initiate a criminal investigation of this matter instead. However, based on what we have seen to date, it is far from clear that the Administration and your department are truly committed to taking the steps necessary to apprehend the person or persons responsible for this grave national security breach.
More than five months have passed since the first press report disclosed the name of the CIA officer and more than two months since your investigation was initiated. The press reports that you are receiving detailed briefings on the status of this case from the Justice Department employees conducting the investigation. Given your refusal to name a special prosecutor and the fact that you are a political appointee of the President, receiving briefings on an investigation of officials of this Administration creates, at a minimum, the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Read full text of letter
From iddybud's blog:
Howard Dean was absoutely preposterous and well out of the mainstream when he said the nation "hasn't been made any safer" since we've caught Saddam Hussein...
Oh, by the way, there's a slim chance that you might be blown to smithereens
later this week...
Oh, but don't let that stop you from getting on the plane to visit Grandma...
Buh-bye! Don't worry!
Have a good time!
Australia won't match US terrorist alert
By Tom Allard and agencies (Australia)
December 23, 2003
Australia will not increase its terrorism alert level, the Federal Government said yesterday. The assurance came despite a US warning that fresh intelligence indicated attacks were being planned on its territory that could rival or surpass those of September 11, 2001.
The warning from the US Homeland Secretary, Tom Ridge -- and the accompanying lifting of the US terrorism alert to "orange", the second highest level -- comes in the wake of fresh alerts in much of Europe and Indonesia.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Australians travelling to the US and other countries to be alert to terrorist attacks, the same caution does not apply to holidaymakers in Australia.
"The reports that we've had from America indicate the threat relates to American cities and not to any other country apart from America," the Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, said.
"We've had no specific information which would cause an increase in our threat level. It remains at medium and we believe the measures we have taken are appropriate."
US federal officials said on Sunday fresh intelligence reports suggested al-Qaeda was planning multiple catastrophic terrorist attacks in the US.
Previously, Bush Administration officials said they would only lift the terrorism alert to code orange in the most unusual circumstances.
The new intelligence indicates al-Qaeda operatives are taking advantage of lower security on commercial or cargo flights from overseas to US airports, officials said.
They said they had no specific information on where or when an attack might be planned.
Senator Ellison said much of the concern arose from a tape *apparently* recorded by a senior al-Qaeda figure. It was being analysed by the CIA, he said. [Emphasis added. -v]
Raising the alert level to orange leads to stronger security procedures across the US to protect government buildings, critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants and railways, harbours and shopping malls.
Police were out in force at airports across the US on Sunday.
Australian news source
Daschle Letter to Ashcroft: Classified Leaks Continue
Monday 22 December 2003
The Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Attorney General:
On September 29, 2003, we wrote to you and to the President requesting the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the unauthorized disclosure of the identity of an undercover CIA officer. You rejected this request, stating that the Department of Justice would initiate a criminal investigation of this matter instead. However, based on what we have seen to date, it is far from clear that the Administration and your department are truly committed to taking the steps necessary to apprehend the person or persons responsible for this grave national security breach.
More than five months have passed since the first press report disclosed the name of the CIA officer and more than two months since your investigation was initiated. The press reports that you are receiving detailed briefings on the status of this case from the Justice Department employees conducting the investigation. Given your refusal to name a special prosecutor and the fact that you are a political appointee of the President, receiving briefings on an investigation of officials of this Administration creates, at a minimum, the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Read full text of letter
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